Page 27 of The Brothers Next Door

Chapter 12

Layla

I was feeling overwhelmed with the new job, I’d admit that. It was a big switch from the small community of Bangor. There were a couple of times throughout the morning that I felt like maybe I wasn’t up to the amount of work they demanded of me. But I got through, and lunch hour was both a much needed and welcomed break.

Exiting the high-rise building, I took a deep breath and slowly released it with a grin appearing on my lips for the first time that day. I’d been so busy that I hadn’t even had a chance to think about the brothers and how things would pan out, but I’d thought about it while I masturbated and then fell asleep with fantasies of them racing through my head last night.

I was tempted by the food cart across the street, but I knew there was a deli a couple of blocks away that made the most amazing Philly cheesesteaks so that was where I headed. Besides, I needed to get my body moving and stretch my legs anyhow. Office work was a killer on the figure and I was one of those people that gained weight simply by looking at food.

A gust of wind hit me and whipped a strand of hair into my face. My pace slowing, I closed my eyes as I pushed the hair away.

I groaned as I found myself colliding with a solid wave of resistance. Startled, I opened my eyes as I stumbled a step backwards, unsteady on my heels. Why in the name of God I wore high heels to work was beyond me. Though in my defense, I didn’t do a lot of walking back in Bangor. I think I’d done more walking in the past couple of months while back here in New York City than I had the entire time living in Bangor. This move would definitely be a good thing for my waistline which had grown over the past few years.

“So sorry,” I muttered, realizing that it wasn’t a wall or stationary object at all, it was in fact a person. My eyes travelled up the chest covered in an NYPD uniform to meet the gaze of one of the brothers. I stared into his eyes a moment, attempting to decipher which twin it was. The name plate Striker didn’t help me. But there was something in his eyes, which were filled with concern, that gave me the answer I sought. “Darrin?”

He smiled. “Good guess.”

Taking a deep breath, I could smell his cologne. It tempted me to lean in, but I refused, opting to take a step backwards instead. Returning his smile, I pushed my hair out of my face a second time. Damned breeze was relentless.

“Hopefully I’ll get better at it as time goes by.”

“I’m sure you will.”

Had Nate informed his brother that I was on board with his proposition? Darrin’s gaze wasn’t giving away any clue as to the answer.

A“Where were you headed in such a rush?”

“Food.” I looked down at my watch. “I’m on lunch break and have fifty minutes left. Was thinking Frankie’s Diner.”

“Amazing cheese steak.”

Laughing, I nodded. “You’re reading my mind.”

His eyes twinkled with amusement. “It’s a gift. Would you believe that’s exactly where I was headed?”

Cocking my head to the side, I eyed him carefully. I wasn’t sure, but I’d roll with it. “Great minds think alike, I guess.”

“Indeed. Do you mind if I join you?” he asked, extending his arm to me.

“Not at all. I’d love it, in fact.” Talk about the day looking up. As we walked I still felt a little apprehension, however. Did he know? Should I be embarrassed? I kinda was. What type of woman fucked two men at the same time, brothers to boot?

It was their idea. Not mine, I told myself. But then again, wasn’t it a fetish of many men to find a woman who’d let two men tag team her? Certainly that type of girl wasn’t someone they took seriously. The idea made me feel bad. I didn’t want to be their fuck toy despite Nate already assuring me that I wasn’t that to them. Damn, what did I want? What did I expect?

“What’s the matter?”

I gave my head a shake as I looked up into his eyes, seeing the concern shining in them. “Nothing.”

“I’m a cop, I have a sixth sense for this stuff. So spill it.”

God, this was embarrassing. “Oh, we’re here.” Releasing a loud sigh, I was seriously relieved to see the restaurant coming into sight. Saved by the deli.

“We’re not through with this,” he warned as he opened the front door for me and let me inside before him.

Pretending to ignore the comment, I made a show of examining the menu before us, as I got into line, despite knowing I wanted a Philly cheese steak. Thankfully, Darrin didn’t call me out on it. After a five or so minute wait, we reached the register.

“Officer Striker!” The woman, who I’d guess to be in her early twenties, smiled wide at Darrin, virtually ignoring me. “Isn’t today your day off?” She began twirling a lock of blonde hair around her index finger as she stared at him.

Hmm. My hackles went up a bit. He wasn’t mine, not yet, but then why was I making like a jealous girlfriend?

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